Rating of the best thermal imagers in 2020

Even 10 years ago, the word thermal imager was associated with most people only with military equipment or intelligence. However, over time, such devices began to firmly enter the life of ordinary people. With the help of this device, repair work is carried out in residential premises, since thanks to it you can estimate the heat leak in an apartment or house in a matter of seconds. An avid hunter or fisherman will also not give up on a thermal imager, because thanks to it, it will no longer be difficult to track down an animal at dusk or in conditions of insufficient visibility. Let's take a closer look at what a thermal imager is. And which are the best in 2020.

Instrument selection criteria

A thermal imager is a device that, using infrared radiation, reads temperature changes and displays data in the form of a thermogram.

With this device you can control the temperature distribution on the measured surface. Today thermal imagers are used in the following areas of activity:

• the military industry and the Ministry of Emergency Situations (for example, to search for missing people, choose the best way out of a burning room or protect a guarded object);
• in construction (the thermal imager allows you to perform the so-called "energy audit" of residential premises and facilities under construction - to identify heat leakage through windows, doorways, basements and attics);
• at industrial enterprises (allows you to detect defects in contact connections of electrical equipment, parts subject to severe wear);
• hunting or fishing (allows you to determine the location of even the most accurate and careful animal in poor visibility).

Let's consider the main characteristics that a thermal imager should have:

1. Infrared detector resolution. It is this indicator that is responsible for the accuracy of the result. The higher the detector's performance, the more accurate the information it reads. For basic operations with a thermal imager, an infrared resolution of 60 * 60 will be sufficient.
2. The resolution of the thermal imager itself. Here, the size of the resolution depends on the area of ​​the object and the complexity of the type of work performed. On average, a resolution of 120x120 is sufficient.
3. Availability of additional optical means. For example, an energy audit of buildings or other large objects will require a wide-angle lens, while for local inspection (for example, upper floors of buildings, chimneys, machine nodes) a special adapter or telephoto lens may be useful.
4. The temperature range in which the instrument can measure. It all depends on the planned use of the device. To inspect buildings for heat loss, you need a device up to + 100 ° C, to check industrial devices and power complexes, you will need devices capable of measuring up to + 350 ° C, and to check boilers and heat generators, the device must withstand temperatures up to + 650 ° C.
5. Measurement accuracy (error).Almost all modern devices have a measurement accuracy of at least 2%. Higher accuracy is needed only for scientific research and is unlikely to be useful in everyday life.
6. Spectral range. To obtain an accurate and high-quality result, the spectral range of the device should be from 7 to 14 microns (today, almost all devices on the market meet this requirement).
7. Additional features that make it easier for their owner to use the device. It can be automatic recognition of the maximum hot and cold spot, Wi-Fi, video recording, automatic calibration, moisture resistance and shock resistance.

Top 10 best thermal imagers in 2020

Knowing the main criteria that you should pay attention to when choosing a device, we will make a rating of the best models of thermal imagers in 2020 that meet all of the above requirements.

10th place - Testo 865

Cost from 75,000 rubles;

Infrared resolution - 160 x 120 pixels;

Temperature sensitivity 120 mK;

Accuracy - ± 2 ° C;

Working temperature from - 15 to +50 degrees;

Weight - 510 grams;

Country of origin - Germany.

A feature of the device is its resolution - 19,200 temperature measurement points provide information with maximum accuracy, there is a function of automatic recognition of the maximum hot and cold points.

• due to the high resolution, the level of thermal noise is reduced to a minimum, which allows you to make the image of the highest quality;
• the device is waterproof and shockproof;
• the error is only 2 degrees;
• produced according to German quality standards.

• high price.

9th place - PULSAR HELION XQ28F

Cost from 117,000 rubles;

Resolution - 384 * 288;

Range - 800 meters;

The sensitivity of the device is from 8 to 14 microns;

Opening hours - 8 hours;

Operating temperature range from -25 to +50 degrees;

Weight - 400 grams;

The focal length of the lens is 28 mm;

Country of origin - Belarus.

A device that has excellent technical characteristics - high resolution, smooth image magnification by 9 times, digital zoom, remote control.

• high resolution of the device;
• operating time up to 8 hours without recharging;
• high-quality optics;
• remote control, video recording.

• high price.

8th place - Seek Thermal Compact mobile thermal imager

Cost: from 22,900 rubles;

Visibility range up to 300 meters;

Recognized temperature range -40 ° С to + 330 ° С;

Viewing angle 36 degrees;

Resolution: 206 * 156;

The sensitivity of the device is from 7.2 to 13 microns;

Country of origin: USA.

The device is well suited for the following purposes: finding heat leaks in buildings, wiring problems, and also useful when hunting.

• instrument sensitivity;
• manufactured according to American standards;
• the price is below average.

• the visibility range of the device is only 300 meters.

7th place - FLIR One PRO

Cost: from 46,000 rubles;

Infrared detector resolution - 160 × 120 pixels;

Optical resolution (HD) - 1440 × 1080;

Temperature range from -20 ° C to 400 ° C;

Additional functions: video recording, freeze frame, slow motion, time-lapse shooting;

Battery life - 1 hour;

Spectral range from 8 to 14 microns;

Dimensions: 68 millimeters * 34 millimeters * 14 millimeters;

Country of origin: USA.

The device is ideal for all areas of activity: thanks to the built-in adapter, it can be used to search for microscopic gaps, to determine temperature and hot spots, as well as video surveillance in poor visibility conditions (including fog and smoke).

• due to the high resolution, the level of thermal noise is reduced to the maximum, which allows you to make the image of the highest quality;
• the presence of video recording, slow motion, freeze frame.

• short battery life.

6th place - Bosch GTC 400 C Professional

Cost: from 68,000 rubles;

Infrared resolution - 160x120 pixels;

Optical resolution (HD) - 1440 × 1080;

Temperature range -10 ° to + 400 ° C;

Screen - 3.5 inches, 320x240 pixels.

The device is equipped with several modes for more accurate operation - this is a manual, automatic, "cold detector", configured to search for thermal leaks, and a "heat detector" - to detect "overheated" elements.

• the presence of special modes;
• a high resolution;
• moisture resistance.

• the price is above average.

5th place - Seek Thermal Reveal PRO

Cost: from 60,000 rubles;

Matrix resolution - 320x240;

Display with a diagonal of 6 centimeters;

Temperature range -40 ... + 330 ° С;

Range - 550 meters;

Viewing angle - 32 degrees;

Battery life - 4 hours;

Country of origin: USA.

The device has proven itself well when looking for heat leaks in buildings, problems with wiring, as well as when hunting (range is 550 meters, good visibility at night and in heavy fog).

• good viewing angle;
• range of 550 meters, it will allow you to use the device during hunting;
• good visibility even in bad weather.

• the cost of the device is above average.

4th place - Seek Thermal Reveal

Cost: from 30,000 rubles.

Display resolution - 240 x 320 pixels;

2.4-inch color display;

Display frequency 9 Hz;

Resolution 206 x 156;

Temperature range from - 40 ° to 330 ° С;

Visibility range 150 meters;

Viewing angle - 36 degrees;

Battery life - 11 hours;

Availability of replaceable batteries.

The device can be used both in construction and for hunting or fishing. In addition, it can be used to diagnose electrical equipment, cars, radiators, sockets and other systems. This is an almost irreplaceable item for any household needs.

• operating time up to 11 hours without recharging;
• good viewing angle;
• durable rubberized body;
• the price is below average.

• range of only 150 meters.

3rd place - Thermal imager Testo 871

Cost: from 195,000 rubles.

Sensitivity - 90 mK;

Additional modes: for detecting areas of mold, diagnosing solar panels, measuring the center point, recognizing hot, cold spots, temperature difference;

Infrared resolution 480x360 pixels;

Detector resolution: 240 x 180 pixels;

Temperature range: from - 30 to +650 ° C;

Digital camera with 35 ° x 26 ° lens, 8.9 cm (3.5 ″) display.

• due to the high resolution, the level of thermal noise is reduced to the maximum, which allows you to make the image of the highest quality;
• the device is waterproof and shockproof;
• the error is 1 degree.

• high price.

2nd place - temperature inspection chamber GD8501

Price: from 8200 rubles.

Resolution 640 x 480;

Measured temperature range: -50 ° C… + 1000 ° C;
Basic measurement error: ± 1% or ± 1 ° С;
Spectral range: 8 to 14 microns;
Automatic measurement of minimum, maximum average values ​​and temperature difference, an audible signal when the temperature exceeds the set limits;
Color LCD 640 x 480 pixels, 6.8 cm diagonal;
Dimensions: 210 x 150 x 86mm;
Weight: 460 grams.

An infrared temperature video camera performs all the functions that are inherent in a thermal imager - it determines the temperature and places of overheating in construction, allows video surveillance in conditions of poor visibility (including fog and smoke), but at the same time has a low cost compared to similar devices.

• low cost;
• wide functionality.

• the device is essentially a temperature chamber.

1st place Guide IR510X

Cost: from 99,000 rubles

Infrared resolution - 400x300;
Frame refresh rate - 50 Hz;
Built-in lens - 25 mm;

Range - up to 1300 meters;

Spectral sensitivity: 8 to 14 microns;

Working temperature: from -20 to +50 degrees;

Working time - 5 hours;

Weight: 389 grams:
Additional functions: Wi-Fi, video recording, red highlighting of the hottest areas, ultra-quiet automatic calibration.

The main feature of the device is that the device is protected from dust, moisture, snow or rain, while due to its technical characteristics there are no "glare", the device can be used at any time of the day.

• working time 5 hours;
• good viewing angle;
• moisture resistant and shockproof;
• Wi-Fi, video recording, automatic calibration;
• with a visibility of 1300 meters, the device is ideal for hunting or fishing.

• high price.

Let's compile a summary table of the best thermal imagers in 2020.

Rating	Model name	Features:	Price
1	Guide IR510X	The device is protected from dust, moisture, snow or rain, while due to its technical characteristics there are no "glare", the device can be used at any time of the day; working time 5 hours; good viewing angle; range 1300 meters	Cost from 99,000 rubles
2	temperature inspection chamber GD8501	The device performs all the functions that are inherent in a thermal imager - it determines the temperature and places of overheating in construction, allows video surveillance in poor visibility conditions (including fog and smoke)	Price from 8200 rubles
3	Testo 871	The device is waterproof and shockproof; - the error is 1 degree	Cost from 195,000 rubles
4	Seek Thermal Reveal	Working time up to 11 hours without recharging; - good viewing angle; - durable rubberized body	Cost from 30,000 rubles
5	Seek Thermal Reveal PRO	The device has proven itself well when looking for heat leaks in buildings, problems with wiring, as well as when hunting (range is 550 meters, good visibility in the dark and in heavy fog)	Cost from 60,000 rubles
6	Bosch GTC 400 C Professional	The device is equipped with several modes for more accurate operation - this is a manual, automatic, "cold detector", configured to search for thermal leaks, and a "heat detector" - to detect "overheated" elements	Cost from 68,000 rubles
7	FLIR One PRO	The device is ideal for all areas of activity: thanks to the built-in adapter, it can be used to search for microscopic gaps, to determine temperature and hot spots, as well as video surveillance in poor visibility conditions (including fog and smoke)	Cost from 46,000 rubles
8	Seek Thermal Compact	The device is well suited for the following purposes: finding heat leaks in buildings, wiring problems, and also useful when hunting.	Cost from 22,900 rubles
9	PULSAR HELION XQ28F	A device that has excellent technical characteristics - high resolution, smooth 9x image magnification, digital zoom, remote control	Cost from 117,000 rubles
10	Testo 865	A feature of the device is its resolution - 19,200 temperature measurement points provide information with maximum accuracy, there is a function of automatic recognition of the maximum hot and cold points	Cost from 75,000 rubles

Thus, today a large number of thermal imagers are presented on the market, ranging from budget models to premium ones. At the same time, the technical characteristics of all the above devices are at a high level, and the functional features of inexpensive models are in no way inferior to their prestigious "brothers".